by Nate Davis, USA TODAY Sports

by Nate Davis, USA TODAY Sports

Best quarterbacks -- confirmed: Tom Brady, Drew Brees, Peyton Manning and Aaron Rodgers had a difficult time matching their own lofty standards during the season's first three weeks while their teams struggled to a collective 3-9 record. Not so Sunday. The quartet of past Super Bowl MVPs combined for 1,443 passing yards and 13 TDs with only Brees' New Orleans Saints losing -- barely to Rodgers' Green Bay Packers.

Worst luck: The officials may have been different, but the Packers were victimized by a blown call for the second time in six days. Saints kick returner Darren Sproles clearly fumbled Sunday at Lambeau Field but was ruled down. With the play ruled dead (and coach Mike McCarthy out of challenges anyway), Green Bay was unable to fight the ruling. Fortunately, it didn't cost them a victory this time. (WATCH MORE)

Shoe's on the other foot: Brady threw four interceptions in Buffalo last year as the New England Patriots suffered a rare loss to the Bills. Sunday, it was Buffalo QB Ryan Fitzpatrick who was pilfered four times as the Pats blew out their AFC East rivals 52-28. It didn't hurt that Brandon Bolden and Stevan Ridley each ground out 100 rushing yards for New England, the first time that had happened for the team since 1982.

Bills not paying off: Buffalo certainly ponied up a lot of money in the offseason for pass rushers Mario Williams and Mark Anderson. However they've combined for 2.5 sacks through four games and didn't get to Brady on Sunday.

We're not streaking: The Minnesota Vikings' 20-13 upset of the Detroit Lions snapped their 11-game skid against NFC North foes.

Forgiving return policy: The Lions became the first team in 72 years to allow both a punt and kickoff return for a TD in consecutive games.

Forgiven return policy: Jerome Simpson led the Vikings in receiving Sunday (four catches, 50 yards) in his debut for the team. He missed the first three weeks while serving a suspension for violating the league's personal conduct policy.

Best start to a game in 2012: The Carolina Panthers kept the Atlanta Falcons from scoring on their first drive Sunday, the first time the Panthers defense had held on an opening sequence all season.

Worst start to a game in 2012: Before getting stonewalled by the Panthers, the Falcons had scored touchdowns on all of their opening possessions this season.

Best/worst finish to a game: Three hours later, the Falcons drove 77 yards in five plays -- highlighted by Roddy White's 59-yard catch -- before Matt Bryant kicked a game-winning 40-yard field goal to give Atlanta a 30-28 win and its first 4-0 start since 2004. Nice job by the Dirty Birds, but not so much by the Panthers.

Best start to a season -- ever: The Falcons and Arizona Cardinals weren't the only team to remain perfect. The Houston Texans improved to 4-0 for the first time in franchise history by virtue of another blowout, this one a 38-14 beatdown of the Tennessee Titans.

Best defensive player: How about an early season defensive MVP nod to Houston defensive end J.J. Watt? He has 7.5 sacks and five batted balls through four games, showing that linemen in three-man defensive fronts can be impact players.

Battle's field: Jackie Battle stepped into an injury breach to lead the Kansas City Chiefs in rushing in 2011 before being discarded in the offseason. He returned to Arrowhead Stadium on Sunday, started for his new team, the San Diego Chargers, and scored two touchdowns as they crushed the error-prone Chiefs, who were in a giving mood with three turnovers.

Strongest leg? St. Louis Rams rookie kicker Greg Zuerlein is making a claim, setting a team record with a 58-yard field goal Sunday before breaking it later in the day with a 60-yarder ... and he had plenty of distance to spare. Zuerlein accounted for 13 of the Rams' 19 points in their win over the Seattle Seahawks.

Best fake: Zuerlein was part of this one, too, even though he mostly watched as holder Johnny Hekker fired a 2-yard TD pass to Danny Amendola on a spectacularly executed fake field goal. (WATCH MORE)

Shakiest hold on his job? There may not be a quarterback controversy in Seattle ... yet. But after rookie Russell Wilson completed three passes to the Rams without throwing any TD passes to his mates Sunday, could it be much longer before before Matt Flynn gets another chance to compete for the job?

Shakiest toehold on his job? Washington Redskins kicker Billy Cundiff missed three field goals at Tampa, reminding the world why the Baltimore Ravens lost faith in him after his infamous misfire in last season's AFC Championship Game. However Cundiff snuck a game-winning 41-yarder inside the left upright with 3 seconds to go -- it might not have been good from 42 yards -- allowing the 'Skins to escape with a 24-22 victory. Credit to Cundiff even if he hardly cemented his job security.

Keep your head on a swivel ... even in pregame: Washington Redskins safety Brandon Meriweather and wideout Aldrick Robinson collided during warm-ups Sunday with Meriweather's left knee (previously injured in preseason) striking the head of Robinson, who wasn't wearing a helmet. Neither player was activated for the game. (WATCH MORE)

Paging Joe Montana, Joe Namath ... and Barry Switzer: New York Jets fans were not treated to 21st-century NFL football Sunday. The Jets and San Francisco 49ers combined for 234 net passing yards in a league generally dominated by aerial fireworks. Meanwhile, the Niners out-Wildcatted the Jets with backup quarterback Colin Kaepernick scampering for 50 yards and a TD as part of a 245-yard rushing effort that left Jets coach Rex Ryan seething. Tim Tebow and Co. had all of 45 yards on the ground and might need a tutorial from the ex-Sooners coach on how to run the wishbone.

No linebackers, no problem: The Denver Broncos were missing two of their starting linebackers Sunday with Joe Mays and D.J. Williams both serving suspensions. The defense responded just fine vs. the Oakland Raiders, allowing just 237 yards, one converted third down and less than 23 minutes time of possession.

Two fumbles, no problem: Cincinnati Bengals tailback BenJarvus Green-Ellis had never fumbled in four NFL seasons prior to this year. He's now coughed it up twice in two weeks ... and the Bengals have won both games.

Marks brothers part II? Many have wondered who would step up at receiver for the Miami Dolphins with GM Jeff Ireland even lamenting the position on Hard Knocks this summer. But on Sunday at least, Mark Duper and Mark Clayton could smile somewhere. Brian Hartline and Davone Bess combined for 19 catches, 376 yards and a TD, helping rookie Ryan Tannehill to a 431-yard passing day. It wasn't enough to beat Arizona, but it does provide reason for optimism.

Wake's board: Dolphins defensive end Cameron Wake had four tackles and one assist Sunday -- which equated to four sacks and one-half sack of Arizona's Kevin Kolb.